Image forming systems, and methods of using same

ABSTRACT

At least one image processing apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store configuration information of an image forming apparatus, a return unit configured to return the image processing apparatus from a power saving state when the image processing apparatus detects a predetermined condition, and a request unit configured to transmit a request for acquiring the configuration information of the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus when the return unit returns the image processing apparatus from the power saving state. The image forming apparatus includes a transmission unit configured to transmit the configuration information of the image forming apparatus to the image processing apparatus based on the request transmitted by the request unit. Further, the image processing apparatus includes an update unit configured to update the configuration information stored in the storage unit by using the configuration information of the image forming apparatus transmitted by the transmission unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention(s) relate to one or more image forming systemsincluding an image forming apparatus and an image processing apparatus,and methods of using same.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, with an increasing demand for power saving of devicessuch as an image forming apparatus and an image processing apparatus,there has been provided a technique for shifting a power state of theimage forming apparatus to a power saving state according to a certaincondition (e.g., the image forming apparatus has not been operated for acertain period of time) (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2007-223275 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-2500).

In this type of image forming apparatus, the state of the image formingapparatus shifts to a power saving state when a certain period of timehas passed after ending printing processing executed by a printer unitand scanning processing executed by a scanner unit, or after endingcommunication with an external device.

In addition, an image processing apparatus for executing imageprocessing in cooperation with the image forming apparatus may beconnected to such an image forming apparatus. The image processingapparatus connected to the image forming apparatus periodically acquiresvarious kinds of image forming apparatus information such as connectionunit information, sheet feed stage information, sheet information, andtoner information. Then, the image processing apparatus updates theimage forming apparatus information stored in the image processingapparatus by itself by using the acquired image forming apparatusinformation. Further, the image processing apparatus notifies, and makesknown, the acquired image forming apparatus information to a computer ofa user who uses the image forming apparatus by using the acquired imageforming apparatus information.

As described above, because the image forming apparatus and the imageprocessing apparatus periodically communicate with each other, changesin the image forming apparatus information are reflected in the imageprocessing apparatus within a certain period of time if the imageforming apparatus information has been updated, and thus uniformity ofthe information across the entire image forming system can be ensured.

However, the state of the image processing apparatus shifts to a powersaving state when the image processing apparatus is not in use. When theimage processing apparatus is in the power saving state, the periodiccommunication between the image forming apparatus and the imageprocessing apparatus is not executed. Therefore, in a case where theimage forming apparatus information is changed while the imageprocessing apparatus is in the power saving state, uniformity of theinformation across the entire image forming system immediately after theimage processing apparatus has returned from the power saving state maynot be maintained.

In this case, unchanged image forming apparatus information is notified,and made known, to the computer of the user who uses the image formingapparatus, so that the user may create a job based on the unchangedinformation. In such a case, malfunctions may occur in the image formingsystem, and thus an output acquired based on that job may be differentfrom the output desired by the user, or the job that cannot be executedby the image forming apparatus may be created.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention(s) are directed to one or more image formingsystems, and methods of using same, capable of avoiding and/orpreventing any malfunctions, which may otherwise be caused by a lack ofuniformity of information when not using one or more features of thepresent invention(s), from occurring by ensuring the uniformity of theinformation even if the configuration of an image forming apparatus hasbeen changed while an image processing apparatus is in the power savingstate.

According to at least one aspect of the present invention(s), an imageforming system includes an image processing apparatus configured togenerate and transmit image data based on a printing request byreceiving the printing request from an information processing apparatus,and an image forming apparatus configured to execute printing based onthe image data transmitted from the image processing apparatus. In oneor more embodiments of the image forming system, the image processingapparatus includes a storage unit configured to store configurationinformation of the image forming apparatus, a return unit configured toreturn the state of the image processing apparatus from a power savingstate in which at least power is supplied to a first communication unitfor receiving data transmitted from the information processing apparatusin a case where the image processing apparatus detects a predeterminedcondition, and a request unit configured to transmit a request foracquiring the configuration information of the image forming apparatusto the image forming apparatus in a case where the return unit returnsthe image processing apparatus from the power saving state, whereas theimage forming apparatus includes a transmission unit configured totransmit the configuration information of the image forming apparatus tothe image processing apparatus based on the request transmitted by therequest unit, and the image processing apparatus further includes anupdate unit configured to update the configuration information stored inthe storage unit by using the configuration information of the imageforming apparatus transmitted by the transmission unit. In one or moreadditional embodiments of the image forming system, the image processingapparatus of the image forming system may further include a notificationunit configured to notify the image forming apparatus that the state ofthe image processing apparatus has returned from the power saving statein a case where the return unit returns the image processing apparatusfrom the power saving state. Alternatively, one or more image processingapparatuses of one or more image forming systems may employ thenotification unit instead of the request unit.

Further features of the present invention(s) will become apparent fromthe following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configurationof an image forming system according to at least a first exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of hardwareconfigurations of an image forming apparatus and an image processingcontroller.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of at least onesoftware configuration of the image processing controller.

FIG. 4 is a state transition diagram illustrating an example of atransition of a power state of the image processing controller.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation executedby the image processing controller when the state of the imageprocessing controller shifts to a power saving state according to afirst exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation executedby the image processing controller when the image processing controllerreturns from the power saving state according to the first exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an update operation ofimage forming apparatus information executed by the image processingcontroller according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation executedby the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation executedby the image processing controller when the state of the imageprocessing controller shifts to the power saving state according to asecond exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation executedby the image processing controller when the image processing controllerreturns from the power saving state according to the second exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation executedby the image forming apparatus when the state of the image processingcontroller shifts to the power saving state according to the secondexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation executedby the image forming apparatus when the image processing controllerreturns from the power saving state according to the second exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a determinationoperation of an update method of the image forming apparatus informationstored in the image processing controller, executed by the image formingapparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14 (including FIGS. 14A and 14B) is a flowchart illustrating anexample of an update operation of the image forming apparatusinformation executed by the image processing controller according to athird exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an updating operationof only changes in the image forming apparatus information executed bythe image processing controller according to a fourth exemplaryembodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the presentinvention(s) will be described in detail below with reference to thedrawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configurationof an image forming system according to at least a first exemplaryembodiment of the present invention(s). An image forming system 100includes an image processing controller 102 and an image formingapparatus 103. The image forming system 100 is communicably connected toa client computer 101.

The client computer 101 and the image processing controller 102 arecommunicably connected to each other via a network 113 such as Ethernet(registered mark), a local area network, etc. The image processingcontroller 102 and the image forming apparatus 103 are connected to eachother via a control cable 111 and an image video cable 112.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the image forming apparatus 103 isnot connected to the network 113 directly. Therefore, the image formingapparatus 103 communicates with the client computer 101 via the imageprocessing controller 102. In addition or in the alternative, the imageforming apparatus 103 can be connected directly to the network 113. Inother words, the image forming apparatus 103 can be directly andcommunicably connected to the client computer 101.

The client computer 101 provides a printing instruction to the imageforming apparatus 103 by activating an application. The image processingcontroller 102 executes image processing in cooperation with the imageforming apparatus 103. The image forming apparatus 103 may be amultifunction peripheral (MFP).

<Configurations of at Least One Image Forming Apparatus and at Least OneImage Processing Controller>

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardwareconfiguration of the image forming apparatus 103 and the imageprocessing controller 102.

The image processing controller 102 includes a central processing unit(CPU) 201, a memory 202, a hard disk drive (HDD) 203, a network (NW)interface (I/F) 204, a network I/F 205, a video I/F 206, and a powercontrol unit 217.

The CPU 201 controls respective units in the image processing controller102, executes calculations, and executes a program stored in a storageunit (e.g., the memory 202 or the HDD 203) via a system bus 207. In oneor more embodiments, the memory 202 is used as a work memory of the CPU201. The hard disk drive (HDD) 203 is a large-capacity storage devicefor storing various control programs executed by the CPU 201 and imagedata. Another storage device, such as a solid state drive (SSD), may beprovided therein instead of the HDD 203.

The network I/F (NW I/F) 204 communicates with another apparatus, suchas the client computer 101, via the network 113. Further, the networkI/F (NW I/F) 205 transmits and receives a control command to/from theimage forming apparatus 103 via the control cable 111. The video I/F 206transmits and receives image data to/from the image forming apparatus103 via the image video cable 112. The power control unit 217 controlspower supplied to each unit of the image processing controller 102.

Further, the image forming apparatus 103 includes a scanner unit 104, anoperation unit 105, an MFP controller 106, a printer unit 107, a FAXunit 108, an identification (ID) card reader 109, and a finisher 110.

The scanner unit 104 inputs image data by reading a document. Theoperation unit 105 includes various keys and a panel. Further, theoperation unit 105 receives various instructions from a user through thevarious keys. Furthermore, the operation unit 105 displays various kindsof information on the panel.

The MFP controller 106 controls the above-described scanner unit 104 andthe printer unit 107. The MFP controller 106 will be described in detailbelow. The printer unit 107 executes printing on a sheet of paper basedon image data. The FAX unit 108 is connected to a telephone line (notillustrated) so as to execute facsimile input-output processing via thetelephone line.

The ID card reader 109 reads information from an ID card for identifyingthe user. The finisher 110 serves as a post-processing device forexecuting processing (post-processing) such as sheet discharging,sorting, stapling, punching, and cutting with respect to a sheet ofpaper (hereinafter, referred to as “sheet”) by receiving the sheet onwhich an image is formed by the printer unit 107. In addition, thefinisher 110 is attachable/detachable to/from a main body of the imageforming apparatus 103.

The image forming apparatus 103 configured as described above canexecute the following functions:

<Copy Function>

Image data of a document read by the scanner unit 104 is stored in theHDD 211, so that printing is executed on a sheet by the printer unit 107based on that image data.

<SEND Function>

Image data of a document read by the scanner unit 104 is transmitted tothe client computer 101 via the network 113.

<BOX Function>

Image data of a document read by the scanner unit 104 as well as imagedata transmitted from the client computer 101 are stored in the HDD 211.

<Print Function>

Page description language (PDL) data transmitted from the clientcomputer 101 is interpreted and printed by the printer unit 107.

The image processing controller 102 periodically acquires various kindsof information of the image forming apparatus 103 (e.g., information ofconnected devices such as a finisher, sheet feed stage information,sheet information, and toner information). Further, the image processingcontroller 102 updates the image forming apparatus information stored inthe image processing controller 102 by using the acquired information ofthe image forming apparatus 103. The image forming apparatus informationis stored in and managed by a database included in the HDD 203 (see FIG.2) mounted within the image processing controller 102. Further, theimage processing controller 102 notifies the above information of theimage forming apparatus 103 to a computer of a user who uses the imageforming apparatus 103. The CPU 201 reads and executes the program storedin the memory 202 or the HDD 203 to realize the above-described controlprocessing.

<Details of an MFP Controller of at Least One Image Forming Apparatus>

Now, the MFP controller 106 of the image forming apparatus 103 will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

The MFP controller 106 includes a CPU 208, a memory 209, a network I/F210, an HDD 211, an engine I/F 212, a video I/F 213, a reader I/F 215, aFAX I/F 216, and a power control unit 218.

The CPU 208 controls each unit of the image forming apparatus 103 andexecutes calculation via a system bus 214 by executing a program storedin a storage device such as the memory 209 or the HDD 211. The memory209 is used as a work memory of the CPU 208. The network I/F (NW I/F)210 transmits and receives a control command to/from the imageprocessing controller 102 via the control cable 111.

The hard disk drive (HDD) 211 is a large-capacity storage device forstoring various control programs executed by the CPU 208 and image data.Another storage device, such as a solid state drive (SSD), may beprovided therein instead of the HDD 211.

The engine I/F 212 transmits and receives a control command to/from theprinter unit 107. The video I/F 213 transmits and receives image datato/from the image processing controller 102 via the image video cable112. The reader I/F 215 transmits and receives a control command to/fromthe scanner unit 104 and the operation unit 105. The FAX I/F 216 servesas an interface for connecting the FAX unit 108. The power control unit218 controls power supplied to each unit of the image forming apparatus103.

Hereinafter, power supply control of the image processing controller 102and the image forming apparatus 103 will be described. Power supplied tothe image processing controller 102 is managed by the power control unit217. When the image processing controller 102 is in a stand-by state,the power control unit 217 controls power to be supplied to therespective units such as the CPU 201, the memory 202, the HDD 203, thenetwork I/F 204, the network I/F 205, and the video I/F 206.

When the image processing controller 102 is in a power saving state, thepower control unit 217 stops supplying power to the CPU 201, the HDD203, and the video I/F 206. In the power saving state, the power controlunit 217 controls power to be supplied to limited portions such as thememory 202, the network I/F 204, and the network I/F 205.

On the other hand, power supplied to the image forming apparatus 103 ismanaged by the power control unit 218. When the image forming apparatus103 is in a stand-by state, the power control unit 218 controls power tobe supplied to the scanner unit 104, the operation unit 105, the MFPcontroller 106, the printer unit 107, the FAX unit 108, the ID cardreader 109, and the finisher 110.

When the image forming apparatus 103 is in a power saving state, thepower control unit 218 stops supplying power to the scanner unit 104,the operation unit 105, the printer unit 107, the ID card reader 109,and the finisher 110. Further, in the power saving state, the powercontrol unit 218 also stops supplying power to the respective unitsincluded in the MFP controller 106, such as the CPU 208, the HDD 211,the engine I/F 212, the video I/F 213, the reader I/F 215, and the FAXI/F 216. In the power saving state, the power control unit 218 suppliespower to the limited units such as the memory 209 and the network I/F210, and stops supplying power to the rest of the units.

<Software Configuration of an Image Processing Controller>

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a softwareconfiguration of the image processing controller 102. The example of thesoftware configuration of the image processing controller 102 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 3. The CPU 201 reads and executes aprogram stored in the memory 202 or the HDD 203 of the image processingcontroller 102 to realize processing illustrated in FIG. 3.

An operating system (OS) 421 is an OS (i.e., basic software) of theimage processing controller 102. A print server application 401 isapplication software operating on the OS 421 executed by the CPU 201.The print server application 401 includes a composition editing unit411, a job control unit 412, and a raster image processor (RIP)processing unit 413, and executes various kinds of predeterminedprocessing including image processing.

The composition editing unit 411 serves as an editing unit for executingcomposition editing processing in order to edit the image data in pageunits into a bookbinding composition format based on the instructionfrom the client computer 101. The job control unit 412 serves as acontrol unit for controlling a printing job based on the instructionfrom the client computer 101. More specifically, the job control unit412 controls the printing order of the print job according to theprinting data and the instruction thereof received from the clientcomputer 101. The RIP processing unit 413 serves as a processing unitfor executing converting processing for rasterizing the PDL into aprintable raster image when composition processing is executed by thecomposition editing unit 411, or the actual image forming processing isexecuted by the job control unit 412.

<Transition of a Power State in an Image Processing Controller>

FIG. 4 is a state transition diagram illustrating an example oftransition of the power state in the image processing controller 102.

The state of the image processing controller 102 according to thepresent exemplary embodiment can shift to any one of a power OFF state501, a stand-by state 502, a job execution state 503, and a power savingstate 504.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the above-described four powerstates are taken as the examples. However, the present invention is notlimited thereto, and the state of the image processing controller 102may shift to another power state. For example, the state of the imageprocessing controller 102 may shift to a suspend state, or a hibernationstate.

The suspend state allows the image processing controller 102 to promptlyreturn to the stand-by state 502. In the suspend state, power iscontinuously kept supplying to the memory 202, so that the imageprocessing controller 102 is booted to return to the stand-by state 502by using the state information of the image processing controller 102stored in the memory 202.

The hibernation state also allows the image processing controller 102 topromptly return to the stand-by state 502. A power state of thehibernation state is similar to the power OFF state 501, and thus thepower supplied to each unit of the image processing controller 102 isstopped. However, the hibernation state is different from the power OFFstate 501 in that the state of the image processing controller 102 isstored in the HDD 203 before the power state thereof is shifted to thehibernation state. Thus, the image processing controller 102 promptlyreturns to the stand-by state 502 from the hibernation state based onthe information stored in the HDD 203.

When the power states of the image processing controller 102 are sortedin descending order of power consumption, the order thereof is asfollows:

job execution state 503>stand-by state 502>power saving state 504>powerOFF state 501.

In the power OFF state 501, a power switch such as a seesaw switch (notillustrated) of the image processing controller 102 is turned OFF, sothat the power supplied to the entire configuration of the imageprocessing controller 102 is stopped. When the user turns on the powerswitch of the image processing controller 102 in the power OFF state501, the state of the image processing controller 102 shifts to thestand-by state 502.

In the stand-by state 502, the image processing controller 102 iswaiting for the access from the client computer 101, so that power issupplied to the entire configuration of the image processing controller102. In addition, in the stand-by state 502, the power does not have tobe supplied to the entire configuration of the image processingcontroller 102. Power may be supplied to the at least one configurationthereof whereas the power does not have to be supplied to the rest ofthe configuration, such as the video I/F 206. When the client computer101 accesses the image processing controller 102 via the network in thestand-by state 502, the state of the image processing controller 102shifts to the job execution state 503. Further, if a sleep shiftingfactor occurs in the stand-by state 502, the state of the imageprocessing controller 102 shifts to the power saving state 504.

For example, the following conditions (1) to (3) can be the sleepshifting factors:

-   (1) A sleep transition button (not illustrated) is pressed by the    user.-   (2) A predetermined period of time has passed in the stand-by state    502 without executing any printing job.-   (3) A predetermined period of time has passed since the client    computer 101 has accessed the image processing controller 102    through the network last time.

Further, if the user turns off the power switch of the image processingcontroller 102 in the stand-by state 502, the image processingcontroller 102 executes shut-down processing and the state of the imageprocessing controller 102 shifts to the power OFF state 501. Theshut-down processing is the processing for ending the OS or theapplications in order to turn off the image processing controller 102.

In the job execution state 503, the image processing controller 102 isexecuting the job, so that power is supplied to the entire configurationof the image processing controller 102. Similar to the stand-by state502, the power does not have to be supplied to the entire configurationof the image processing controller 102 in the job execution state 503.The power may be supplied to the at least one configuration thereofwhereas the power does not have to be supplied to the rest of theconfiguration, such as the video I/F 206. Further, the power does nothave to be supplied to the unit that is not used for the job execution.More specifically, when only editing the printing job is performedwithout executing printing, the power supplied to the video I/F 206 maybe stopped because the video I/F 206 is not used in the editingprocessing. When the job has been completed in the job execution state503, the state of the image processing controller 102 shifts to thestand-by state 502.

In the power saving state 504, the image processing controller 102stands by in a power saving state, so that power is supplied to a partof the configuration thereof including the network I/F 204. In the powersaving state 504, the power supplied to the video I/F 206 is stopped.When the image processing controller 102 receives a returning factor inthe power saving state 504, the state of the image processing controller102 shifts to the stand-by state 502. In addition, in the power savingstate 504, the network I/F 204 and the network I/F 205 can respond to asimple packet transmitted through the network. This function is known as“proxy response”. An Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) request, a SimpleNetwork Management Protocol (SNMP) state acquisition, and an InternetControl Message Protocol (ICMP) neighbor discovery are taken as theexamples of the simple packet.

The following conditions (1) to (3) can be the returning factors:

-   (1) A wake-up button is pressed by the user.-   (2) The client computer 101 accesses the image processing controller    102 via the network.-   (3) The image forming apparatus 103 accesses the image processing    controller 102 via the network.

The operations executed by the image processing controller 102 when thestate of the image processing controller 102 shifts to and returns fromthe power saving state 504 will be described below with reference toFIGS. 5 and 6.

<Description on Operation Executed by an Image Processing Controllerwhen a State of the Image Processing Controller Shifts to a Power SavingState>

First, the operation executed by the image processing controller 102when the state of the image processing controller 102 shifts to thepower saving state 504 in the present exemplary embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation executedby the image processing controller 102 when the state of the imageprocessing controller 102 shifts to the power saving state 504 in thepresent exemplary embodiment. The CPU 201 executes a program loaded onthe memory 202 to realize the processing illustrated in the flowchart ofFIG. 5.

When the state of the image processing controller 102 shifts to thestand-by state 502 after executing a job, in step S601, the CPU 201determines whether the sleep shifting factor is detected by monitoringthe occurrence of the sleep shifting factor. In a case where the CPU 201determines that the sleep shifting factor is not detected (NO in stepS601), the CPU 201 repeatedly executes the processing in step S601 untilthe sleep shifting factor is detected.

On the other hand, in a case where the CPU 201 determines that the sleepshifting factor is detected (YES in step S601), the processing proceedsto step S602. In step S602, the CPU 201 transmits a state requestcommand to the image forming apparatus 103 via the network I/F 205. Thestate request command to the image forming apparatus 103 is a commandallowing the image processing controller 102 to request the imageforming apparatus 103 to transmit the current state information of theimage forming apparatus 103. The state request command to the imageforming apparatus 103 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 103via the control cable 111.

Next, in step S603, the CPU 201 determines whether a response (e.g., anacknowledgement (ACK) response in Transmission Control Protocol (TCP))indicating that the image forming apparatus 103 has received the staterequest command transmitted in step S602 is received from the imageforming apparatus 103. Then, in a case where the CPU 201 determines thatthe response indicating that the image forming apparatus 103 hasreceived the state request command is received (YES in step S603), theprocessing proceeds to step S604. In step S604, the CPU 201 determineswhether the state information data from the image forming apparatus 103is received.

Then, in a case where the CPU 201 determines that the state informationdata from the image forming apparatus 103 is received (YES in stepS604), the processing proceeds to step S605. In step S605, the CPU 201stores the state information data received from the image formingapparatus 103 in the HDD 203. Next, in step S606, the CPU 201 transmitsa receiving completion notification to the image forming apparatus 103.

Further, in connection with the transmission of the receiving completionnotification to the image forming apparatus 103, in step S607, the CPU201 shifts the image processing controller 102 to the power saving state504 from the stand-by state 502. More specifically, the CPU 201instructs the power control unit 217 to stop supplying power to the CPU201 and the HDD 203. The CPU 201 executes the sleep shift processingbefore the power control unit 217 stops supplying power thereto. In thesleep shift processing, the CPU 201 stores a state of the imageprocessing controller 102 immediately before shifting to the powersaving state 504 in the memory 202.

Further, in step S603, in a case where the CPU 201 determines that theresponse indicating that the image forming apparatus 103 has receivedthe state request command is not received (NO in step S603), theprocessing proceeds to step S608. In step S608, the CPU 201 determineswhether a predetermined time has passed after transmitting the staterequest command to the image forming apparatus 103. In a case where theCPU 201 determines that the predetermined time has not passed (NO instep S608), the processing proceeds to step S602. In step S602, the CPU201 transmits the state request command to the image forming apparatus103 via the network I/F 205 again. On the other hand, in a case wherethe CPU 201 determines that the predetermined time has passed (YES instep S608), the CPU 201 ends the processing of the flowchart withoutshifting the image processing controller 102 to the power saving state504.

Further, in step S604, in a case where the CPU 201 determines that thestate information data from the image forming apparatus 103 is notreceived (NO in step S604), the processing proceeds to step S609. Instep S609, the CPU 201 determines whether a predetermined time haspassed after receiving the response indicating that the image formingapparatus 103 has received the state request command. Then, in a casewhere the CPU 201 determines that the predetermined time has not passed(NO in step S609), the processing proceeds to step S604. On the otherhand, in a case where the CPU 201 determines that the predetermined timehas passed (YES in step S609), the CPU 201 ends the processing of theflowchart without shifting the image processing controller 102 to thepower saving state 504.

<Description on an Operation Executed by an Image Processing Controllerwhen a State of the Image Processing Controller Returns from a PowerSaving State>

Next, the operation executed by the image processing controller 102 whenthe state of the image processing controller 102 returns to the stand-bystate 502 from the power saving state 504 according to the presentexemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation executedby the image processing controller 102 when the state of the imageprocessing controller 102 returns from the power saving state 504according to the present exemplary embodiment. The CPU 201 executes aprogram loaded on the memory 202 to realize the processing illustratedin the flowchart of FIG. 6.

In a case where the sleep returning factor occurs while the imageprocessing controller 102 is in the power saving state 504, the powercontrol unit 217 starts supplying power to the CPU 201 again. With thisprocessing, the state of the image processing controller 102 returns tothe stand-by state 502 from the power saving state 504. The conditionssuch as the user presses the wake-up button (not illustrated), the imageprocessing controller 102 receives a job from the client computer 101,or the image processing controller 102 is accessed by the image formingapparatus 103 via the network can be the sleep returning factors. TheCPU 201 executes the processing according to the flowchart in FIG. 6 byexecuting a program loaded on the memory 202 when power is suppliedthereto.

First, in step S701, the CPU 201 executes activation processing whenpower is supplied thereto. In the activation processing, the CPU 201returns the image processing controller 102 to a state before shiftingto the power saving state 504 by using the state information of theimage processing controller 102 stored in the memory 202. Then, in stepS702, the CPU 201 transmits a state request command to the image formingapparatus 103 via the network I/F 205. The state request command to theimage forming apparatus 103 is a command allowing the image processingcontroller 102 to request the image forming apparatus 103 to transmitthe current state information of the image forming apparatus 103. Thestate request command to the image forming apparatus 103 is transmittedto the image forming apparatus 103 via the control cable 111.

Next, in step S703, the CPU 201 determines whether a response (e.g., anACK response in TCP) indicating that the image forming apparatus 103 hasreceived the state request command transmitted in step S702 is receivedfrom the image forming apparatus 103. Then, in a case where the CPU 201determines that the response indicating that the image forming apparatus103 has received the state request command is received (YES in stepS703), the processing proceeds to step S704. In step S704, the CPU 201determines whether the state information data from the image formingapparatus 103 is received.

Then, in a case where the CPU 201 determines that the state informationdata from the image forming apparatus 103 is received (YES in stepS704), the processing proceeds to step S705. In step S705, the CPU 201stores the state information data received from the image formingapparatus 103 in the HDD 203. Next, in step S706, the CPU 201 transmitsa receiving completion notification to the image forming apparatus 103.

Further, in connection with the transmission of the receiving completionnotification to the image forming apparatus 103, in step S707, the CPU201 updates the image forming apparatus information stored in the imageprocessing controller 102. The processing for updating the image formingapparatus information executed in step S707 will be described in detailbelow with reference to FIG. 7.

Further, in step S703, in a case where the CPU 201 determines that theresponse indicating that the image forming apparatus 103 has receivedthe state request command is not received (NO in step S703), theprocessing proceeds to step S708. In step S708, the CPU 201 determineswhether a predetermined time has passed after transmitting the staterequest command to the image forming apparatus 103. In a case where theCPU 201 determines that the predetermined time has not passed (NO instep S708), the processing proceeds to step S702. In step S702, the CPU201 transmits the state request command to the image forming apparatus103 via the network I/F 205 again. On the other hand, in a case wherethe CPU 201 determines that the predetermined time has passed (YES instep S708), the CPU 201 advances the processing to step S707 withoutreceiving the state information data of the image forming apparatus 103.

Further, in step S704, in a case where the CPU 201 determines that thestate information data from the image forming apparatus 103 is notreceived (NO in step S704), the processing proceeds to step S709. Instep S709, the CPU 201 determines whether a predetermined time haspassed after receiving the response indicating that the image formingapparatus 103 has received the state request command. Then, in a casewhere the CPU 201 determines that the predetermined time has not passed(NO in step S709), the processing proceeds to step S704. On the otherhand, in a case where the CPU 201 determines that the predetermined timehas passed (YES in step S709), the CPU 201 advances the processing tostep S707 without receiving the state information data of the imageforming apparatus 103.

<Operation for Updating Image Forming Apparatus Information Stored in anImage Processing Controller>

Hereinafter, an operation for updating the image forming apparatusinformation stored in the image processing controller 102 (e.g.,processing executed in step S707 in FIG. 6) according to the presentexemplary embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation forupdating the image forming apparatus information stored in the imageprocessing controller 102 (e.g., processing executed in step S707 inFIG. 6), which is to be executed when the image processing controller102 returns from the power saving state 504 in the present exemplaryembodiment. The CPU 201 executes a program loaded on the memory 202 torealize the processing illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 7.

In step S801, the CPU 201 checks whether pieces of state informationdata of the image forming apparatus 103 respectively received at thetime of shifting to the power saving state 504 from the stand-by state502 and at the time of returning to the stand-by state 502 from thepower saving state 504 (i.e., information data of the image formingapparatus 103 before and after the power saving state 504) are stored inthe HDD 203. The state information data of the image forming apparatus103 received at the time of shifting to the power saving state 504 fromthe stand-by state 502 corresponds to the state information datareceived in step S604 and stored in step S605 in FIG. 5 before shiftingto the power saving state 504. Further, the state information data ofthe image forming apparatus 103 received at the time of returning to thestand-by state 502 from the power saving state 504 corresponds to thestate information data received in step S704 and stored in step S705 inFIG. 6 after returning from the power saving state 504.

Then, in a case where the CPU 102 determines that both pieces of thestate information data of the image forming apparatus 103 are stored(YES in step S801), the processing proceeds to step S802. In step S802,the CPU 201 compares the pieces of the state information data of theimage forming apparatus 103.

Next, in step S803, the CPU 201 analyzes a comparison result byextracting only differences (changes) from the comparison resultacquired in step S802. Then, in step S804, based on an analysis resultacquired in step S803, the CPU 201 determines an update method of thechanges.

In a case where the CPU 201 determines that no changes exist (NO in stepS804), the processing proceeds to step S805. In step S805, the CPU 201returns the image processing controller 102 to the stand-by state 502without updating the image forming apparatus information stored in theimage processing controller 102.

In a case where the CPU 201 determines that no changes requiringreactivation/rebooting exist (“ONLY CHANGES NOT REQUIRING REACTIVATIONEXIST” in step S804), the processing proceeds to step S806. In stepS806, the CPU 201 individually updates the information according to thechanges.

In addition, the following conditions (1) to (5) can be taken as thespecific examples of “CHANGES NOT REQUIRING REACTIVATION”:

-   (1) A change in sheet feed stage information (e.g., sheet type, and    sheet size).-   (2) A change in a remaining amount of sheets.-   (3) A change in a remaining amount of toner.-   (4) A change in location information (installation site).-   (5) A change in sheet discharge information (e.g., sheets are    fully-loaded, loaded, or not loaded on an output bin).

In a case where the CPU 201 determines that the changes requiring thereactivation/rebooting processing exist (“CHANGES REQUIRING REACTIVATIONEXIST” in step S804), the processing proceeds to step S807. In stepS807, the CPU 201 reboots (e.g., restarts) the entire image processingcontroller 102 and resets all of the information of the image processingcontroller 102.

In addition, the following conditions (1) and (2) can be taken as thespecific examples of “CHANGES REQUIRING REACTIVATION”:

-   (1) A change in a type of the finisher 110.-   (2) A change in a setting value of the finisher 110.

After executing the processing in any one of steps S805, S806, and S807,the processing proceeds to step S808. In step S808, the CPU 201 opensthe network I/F 204 to enable the communications between the CPU 201 andan external apparatus via the network 113, and ends the processing ofthe flowchart. In the power saving state 504, the network I/F 204operates in an operation mode in which the input and output of data arerestricted so that the network I/F 204 transmits a notification to theCPU 201 only when the network I/F 204 receives a specific data such as ajob. The above processing for changing the operation mode from theoperation mode restricting the input and output of data to the operationmode enabling the CPU 201 to control the communication via the network113 without any restriction on the input and output of data is referredto as “opening the network I/F 204”. Therefore, after updating the abovechanges, the CPU 201 starts communicating with the external apparatus inthe stand-by state 502.

In addition, an update method instruction information (e.g., a rulebook) in which the update method is linked with each of the abovechanges may be previously stored in the HDD 203 of the image processingcontroller 102, and the CPU 201 may determine the update method of theimage forming apparatus information by acquiring the update methodcorresponding to the change from the update method instructioninformation.

<Operation Executed by an Image Forming Apparatus when a State of anImage Processing Controller Shifts to or Returns from the Power SavingState 504>

First, an operation executed by the image forming apparatus 103 when thestate of the image processing controller 102 shifts to or returns fromthe power saving state 504 according to the present exemplary embodimentwill be described with reference to FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation executedby the image forming apparatus 103 when the state of the imageprocessing controller 102 shifts to or returns from the power savingstate 504 according to the present exemplary embodiment. The CPU 208executes a program loaded on the memory 209 to realize the processingillustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 8.

First, in step S901, the CPU 208 monitors and determines whether a staterequest command to the image forming apparatus 103 transmitted from theimage processing controller 102 is received. In a case where the CPU 208determines that the state request command to the image forming apparatus103 is not received (NO in step S901), the CPU 208 repeatedly executesthe processing in step S901 until the state request command for theimage forming apparatus 103 is received.

On the other hand, in a case where the CPU 208 determines that the staterequest command to the image forming apparatus 103 is received (YES instep S901), the processing proceeds to step S902. In step S902, the CPU208 transmits a response (e.g., an ACK response in TCP) indicating thatthe image forming apparatus 103 has received the state request command,to the image processing controller 102.

Then, in step S903, the CPU 208 creates the state information data ofthe image forming apparatus 103. In step S903, the CPU 208 creates thestate information data from various kinds of information of the imageforming apparatus 103 stored in the memory 209 or the HDD 211. Forexample, the following pieces of information (1) to (5) may be stored inthe memory 209 or the HDD 211 as the various kinds of information of theimage forming apparatus 103, so that the state information data iscreated therefrom:

-   (1) A type of the finisher 110.-   (2) A setting value of the finisher 110.-   (3) Sheet feed stage information (sheet type, and sheet size).-   (4) A remaining amount of sheets.-   (5) A remaining amount of toner.-   (6) A location (installation site).-   (7) Sheet discharge information (e.g., sheets are fully-loaded,    loaded, or not loaded on the output bin).

Next, in step S904, the CPU 208 transmits the state information datacreated in step S903 to the image processing controller 102 and ends theprocessing of the flowchart.

As described above, even in a case where the changes have occurred inthe configuration of the image forming apparatus 103 while the imageprocessing controller 102 is in the power saving state 504, the changesin the configuration of the image forming apparatus 103 are reflected inthe image processing controller 102 when the state of the imageprocessing controller 102 returns from the power saving state 504.Through the above-described processing, uniformity of the informationacross the entire image forming system can be ensured, and thus anymalfunctions, which may otherwise be caused by a lack of the uniformityof the information when not employing one or more features of thepresent invention(s), can be prevented from occurring.

In the first exemplary embodiment, description has been given of theexample in which the image forming apparatus information stored in theimage processing controller 102 is updated, which is executed by theimage processing controller 102 by acquiring the image forming apparatusinformation before shifting to and after returning from the power savingstate 504. However, the present invention(s) are not limited to theabove exemplary embodiment, and another exemplary embodiment may be alsoemployed as long as uniformity of the information across the entireimage forming system(s) can be ensured. Hereinafter, a second exemplaryembodiment of the present invention(s) will be described below.

In the present exemplary embodiment, in a case where the state of theimage processing controller 102 shifts to or returns from the powersaving state 504, the image forming apparatus 103 stores the imageforming apparatus information by itself. Then, when the state of theimage processing controller 102 returns from the power saving state 504,the image forming apparatus 103 instructs the image processingcontroller 102 on the update method of the image forming apparatusinformation by comparing and analyzing the changes thereof.

Hereinafter, an operation executed by the image processing controller102 when the state of the image processing controller 102 shifts to thepower saving state 504 in the present exemplary embodiment will bedescribed below with reference to FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation executedby the image processing controller 102 when the state of the imageprocessing controller 102 shifts to the power saving state 504 in thepresent exemplary embodiment. The CPU 201 executes a program loaded onthe memory 202 to realize the processing illustrated in the flowchart ofFIG. 9. In addition, the same step numbers are applied to the same stepsas those described in FIG. 5, and a detailed description thereof will beomitted.

In step S601, when the state of the image processing controller 102shifts to the stand-by state 502 after executing a job, the CPU 201monitors the occurrence of the sleep shifting factor. In a case wherethe CPU 201 determines that the sleep shifting factor is detected (YESin step S601), the processing proceeds to step S1001.

In step S1001, the CPU 201 transmits a sleep shifting notificationpacket to the image forming apparatus 103 via the network I/F 205. Thesleep shifting notification packet is a packet for notifying the imageforming apparatus 103 that the state of the image processing controller102 shifts to the power saving state 504. The sleep shiftingnotification packet is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 103via the control cable 111.

Next, in step S1002, the CPU 201 determines whether a response (e.g., anACK response in TCP) indicating that the image forming apparatus 103 hasreceived the sleep shifting notification packet transmitted in step S602is received from the image forming apparatus 103. Then, in a case wherethe CPU 201 determines that the response indicating that the imageforming apparatus 103 has received the sleep shifting notificationpacket is received (YES in step S1002), the processing proceeds to stepS607. In step S607, the CPU 201 shifts the image processing controller102 to the power saving state 504 from the stand-by state 502.

Further, in step S1002, in a case where the CPU 201 determines that theresponse indicating that the image forming apparatus 103 has receivedthe sleep shifting notification packet is not received (NO in stepS1002), the processing proceeds to step S1003. In step S1003, the CPU201 determines whether a predetermined time has passed aftertransmitting the sleep shifting notification packet to the image formingapparatus 103. In a case where the CPU 201 determines that thepredetermined time has not passed (NO in step S1003), the processingproceeds to step S1001. In step S1001, the CPU 201 transmits the sleepshifting notification packet to the image forming apparatus 103 via thenetwork I/F 205 again. On the other hand, in a case where the CPU 201determines that the predetermined time has passed (YES in step S1003),the CPU 201 ends the processing of the flowchart without shifting theimage processing controller 102 to the power saving state 504.

<Operation Executed by an Image Processing Controller when a State ofthe Image Processing Controller Returns from a Power Saving State>

Next, an operation executed by the image processing controller 102 whenthe state of the image processing controller 102 returns to the stand-bystate 502 from the power saving state 504 in the present exemplaryembodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation executedby the image processing controller 102 when the state of the imageprocessing controller 102 returns from the power saving state 504 in thepresent exemplary embodiment. The CPU 201 executes the program loaded onthe memory 202 to realize the processing illustrated in the flowchart ofFIG. 10. In addition, the same step numbers are applied to the samesteps as those described in FIG. 5, and a detailed description thereofwill be omitted.

The CPU 201 executes the processing according to the flowchartillustrated in FIG. 10 when the returning factor has occurred and poweris supplied thereto. In step S701, the CPU 201 executes the activationprocessing. Thereafter, in step S1101, the CPU 201 transmits a sleepreturning notification packet to the image forming apparatus 103 via thenetwork I/F 205. The sleep returning notification packet of the imageprocessing controller 102 is a packet for notifying that the state ofthe image processing controller 102 returns from the power saving state504.

Next, in step S1102, the CPU 201 determines whether an update requestcommand (update instruction) for updating the image forming apparatusinformation stored in the image processing controller 102 is receivedfrom the image forming apparatus 103. Then, in a case where the CPU 201determines that the update request command for updating the imageforming apparatus information is received from the image formingapparatus 103 (YES in step S1102), the processing proceeds to stepS1103. In step S1103, the CPU 201 transmits a response (receivingcompletion notification) indicating that the image processing controller102 has received the above update request command for updating the imageforming apparatus information to the image forming apparatus 103, andthe processing proceeds to step S1106.

In step S1106, according to the update request command for updating theimage forming apparatus information stored in the image processingcontroller 102 received in step S1102, the CPU 201 updates the imageforming apparatus information stored in the image processing controller102.

In step S1102, in a case where the CPU 201 determines that the updaterequest command for updating the image forming apparatus information isnot received from the image forming apparatus 103 (NO in step S1102),the processing proceeds to step S1104. In step S1104, the CPU 201determines whether a predetermined time has passed after transmittingthe sleeping returning notification to the image forming apparatus 103.In a case where the CPU 201 determines that the predetermined time hasnot passed (NO in step S1104), the processing proceeds to step S1101. Instep S1101, the CPU 201 transmits the sleep returning notification tothe image forming apparatus 103 via the network I/F 205 again. On theother hand, in a case where the CPU 201 determines that thepredetermined time has passed (YES in step S1104), the processingproceeds to step S1105. In step S1105, the CPU 201 rewrites the contentof an update method result notification to be “UPDATE METHOD=REBOOT”without receiving the update request command for updating the imageforming apparatus information stored in the image processing controller102, and the processing proceeds to step S1106.

<Operation Executed by an Image Forming Apparatus when a State of anImage Processing Controller Shifts to a Power Saving State>

Hereinafter, an operation executed by the image forming apparatus 103when the state of the image processing controller 102 shifts to thepower saving state 504 in the present exemplary embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 11.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation executedby the image forming apparatus 103 when the state of the imageprocessing controller 102 shifts to the power saving state 504 in thepresent exemplary embodiment. The CPU 208 executes a program loaded onthe memory 209 to realize the processing illustrated in the flowchart ofFIG. 11.

First, in step S1201, the CPU 208 monitors and determines whether asleep shifting notification packet transmitted from the image processingcontroller 102 is received. In a case where the CPU 208 determines thatthe sleep shifting notification packet is not received from the imageprocessing controller 102 (NO in step S1201), the CPU 208 repeatedlyexecutes the processing in step S1201 until the sleep shiftingnotification packet is received.

On the other hand, in a case where the CPU 208 determines that the sleepshifting notification packet is received from the image processingcontroller 102 (YES in step S1201), the processing proceeds to stepS1202. In step S1202, the CPU 208 transmits a response (e.g., an ACKresponse in TCP) indicating that the image forming apparatus 103 hasreceived the sleep shifting notification packet to the image processingcontroller 102.

Next, in step S1203, the CPU 208 creates the state information data ofthe image forming apparatus 103 from the various kinds of information ofthe image forming apparatus 103 stored in the memory 209 or the HDD 211.The processing in step S1203 is the same as that of step S903 in FIG. 8,and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, in step S1204, the CPU 208 stores the created state informationdata in the HDD 211 and ends the processing of the flowchart.

<Operation Executed by an Image Forming Apparatus when a State of anImage Processing Controller Returns from a Power Saving State>

An operation executed by the image forming apparatus 103 when the stateof the image processing controller 102 returns from the power savingstate 504 in the present exemplary embodiment will be described withreference to FIG. 12.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the operation executed by the imageforming apparatus 103 when the state of the image processing controller102 returns from the power saving state 504 in the present exemplaryembodiment. The CPU 208 executes a program loaded on the memory 209 torealize the processing illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 12.

First, in step S1301, the CPU 208 monitors and determines whether asleep returning notification packet transmitted from the imageprocessing controller 102 is received. In a case where the CPU 208determines that the sleep returning notification packet is not received(NO in step S1301), the CPU 208 repeatedly executes the processing ofstep S1301 until the sleep returning notification packet is received.

On the other hand, in a case where the CPU 208 determines that the sleepreturning notification packet is received (YES in step S1301), theprocessing proceeds to step S1302. In step S1302, the CPU 208 transmitsa response (e.g., an ACK response in TCP) indicating that the imageforming apparatus 103 has received the sleep returning notificationpacket to the image processing controller 102.

Next, in step S1303, the CPU 208 creates the state information data ofthe image forming apparatus 103 from the various kinds of information ofthe image forming apparatus 103 stored in the memory 209 or the HDD 211.The processing in step S1303 is the same as that of step S903 in FIG. 8,and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In step S1304,the CPU 208 stores the state information data created in step S1303 inthe HDD 211.

Next, in step S1305, the CPU 208 determines an update method of theimage forming apparatus information stored in the image processingcontroller 102 by using the state information data of the image formingapparatus 103 which is created when the state of the image processingcontroller 102 shifts to or returns from the power saving state 504. Theprocessing executed in step S1305 will be described below in detail withreference to FIG. 13.

Further, in step S1306, the CPU 208 notifies a result of determinationprocessing executed in step S1305 (i.e., an update method of the imageforming apparatus information stored in the image processing controller102) to the image processing controller 102 as an update request command(update instruction). Thereafter, the CPU 208 ends the processing of theflowchart.

<Operation for Determining an Update Method of Image Forming ApparatusInformation Stored in an Image Processing Controller>

Hereinafter, an operation for determining the update method of the imageforming apparatus information stored in the image processing controller102 (e.g., processing executed in step S1305 of FIG. 12) according tothe present exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 13.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation fordetermining the update method of the image forming apparatus informationstored in the image processing controller 102 executed by the imageforming apparatus 103 according to the present exemplary embodiment. TheCPU 208 executes a program loaded on the memory 209 to realize theprocessing illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 13.

In step S1401, the CPU 208 compares the pieces of state information dataof the image forming apparatus 103 created respectively when the stateof the image processing controller 102 shifts to the power saving state504 and returns to the stand-by state 502. The state information data ofthe image forming apparatus 103 created when the state of the imageprocessing controller 102 shifts to the power saving state 504, is thestate information data created in step S1203 and stored in step S1204 inFIG. 11. Further, the state information data of the image formingapparatus 103 created when the state of the image processing controller102 shifts to the stand-by state 502 is the state information datacreated in step S1303 and stored in step S1304 in FIG. 12.

Next, in step S1402, the CPU 208 extracts only differences (changes)from a comparison result acquired in step S1401 to analyze thecomparison result of the extracted changes. Then, in step S1403, basedon the analysis result acquired in step S1402, the CPU 208 determinesthe update method of the changes.

In step S1403, in a case where the CPU 201 determines that the changesdo not exist (NO in step S1403), the processing proceeds to step S1404.In step S1404, the CPU 208 sets a result as “UPDATE METHOD=IDLE” andends the processing of the flowchart.

In a case where the CPU 208 determines that no changes requiring thereactivation/rebooting processing exist (“ONLY CHANGES NOT REQUIRINGREACTIVATION EXIST” in step S1403), the processing proceeds to stepS1405. In step S1405, the CPU 208 sets a result as “UPDATE METHOD=UPDATECHANGES ONLY”. In this case, the state information data of the imageforming apparatus 103 corresponding to the changes is also set to theparameter of the update request command. Then, the CPU 208 ends theprocessing of the flowchart. In addition, specific examples of “ONLYCHANGES NOT REQUIRING REACTIVATION” have already been described in thefirst exemplary embodiment.

In a case where the CPU 208 determines that the changes requiring thereactivation/rebooting processing exist (“CHANGES REQUIRING REACTIVATIONEXIST” in step S1403), the processing proceeds to step S1406. In stepS1406, the CPU 208 sets a result as “UPDATE METHOD=REBOOT” and ends theprocessing of the flowchart. In addition, specific examples of “CHANGESREQUIRING REACTIVATION” have already been described in the firstexemplary embodiment.

In addition, an update method instruction information (e.g., a rulebook) in which the update method is linked with each of the abovechanges may be previously stored in the HDD 211 of the image formingapparatus 103, and the CPU 208 may determine the update method of theimage forming apparatus information by acquiring the update methodcorresponding to the change from the update method instructioninformation.

As described above, in step S1306 of FIG. 12, the update methoddetermined in any of steps S1404, S1405, and S1406 in FIG. 13 isnotified to the image processing controller 102 as the update requestcommand of the image forming apparatus information. Based on this updaterequest command of the image forming apparatus information, in stepS1106 of FIG. 10, the image processing controller 102 updates the imageforming apparatus information stored therein.

For example, when the update request command corresponds to “UPDATEMETHOD=IDLE”, the CPU 201 of the image processing controller 102 simplyreturns the image processing controller 102 to the stand-by state 502without updating the image forming apparatus information stored in theimage processing controller 102. Further, when the update requestcommand corresponds to “UPDATE METHOD=UPDATE CHANGES ONLY”, the CPU 201of the image processing controller 102 individually updates theinformation according to the changes. Further, when the update requestcommand corresponds to “UPDATE METHOD=REBOOT”, the CPU 201 of the imageprocessing controller 102 resets all of the information of the imageprocessing controller 102 by reactivating the entire image processingcontroller 102.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, even in a case where thechanges have occurred in the configuration of the image formingapparatus 103 while the image processing controller 102 is in the powersaving state 504, the image forming apparatus 103 compares and analyzesthe changes in the configuration by itself, and reflects the changes inthe image processing controller 102 when the state of the imageprocessing controller 102 returns from the power saving state 504.Through the above-described processing, uniformity of the informationacross the entire image forming system can be ensured, and thus anymalfunctions, which may otherwise be caused by a lack of the uniformityof the information (e.g., across an entire image forming system) whennot employing one or more features of the present invention(s), can beavoided and/or prevented from occurring.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the operation for updating the imageforming apparatus information stored in the image processing controller102 that is executed by the image processing controller 102 by comparingthe pieces of the information of the image forming apparatus 103acquired at the time of shifting to and returning from the power savingstate 504, has been described as an example.

However, the present invention(s) are not limited to the above-describedexemplary embodiment. The printing jobs and accesses to the imageprocessing controller 102 received when shifting to the stand-by state502, in a case where the changes require the reactivation/rebootingprocessing exist, may be processed prior to the update processing of thechanges in a case where the printing job or the access is not affectedby the changes in the information processing apparatus information. Suchan exemplary embodiment will be described below.

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 14, description will be given for anoperation executed by the image processing controller 102 in a casewhere the changes in the image forming apparatus information require thereactivation/rebooting processing when the state of the image processingcontroller 102 returns to the stand-by state 502 from the power savingstate 504.

FIG. 14 (including FIGS. 14A and 14B) is a flowchart illustrating anexample of the processing for updating the image forming apparatusinformation stored in the image processing controller 102, (e.g.,processing executed in step S707 in FIG. 6) executed when the state ofthe image processing controller 102 returns from the power saving state504 in a third exemplary embodiment. The CPU 201 executes a programloaded on the memory 202 to realize the processing illustrated in theflowchart of FIG. 14. In addition, the same step numbers are applied tothe same steps as those described in FIG. 7, and a detailed descriptionthereof will be omitted.

In step S804, in a case where the CPU 201 determines that the changesrequiring the reactivation/rebooting processing exist (“CHANGESREQUIRING REACTIVATION EXIST” in step S804), the processing proceeds tostep S1501.

In step S1501, the CPU 201 determines whether an access corresponding toa returning factor of the image processing controller 102 or an accessreceived thereby after returning to the stand-by state 502 exists.

In a case where the CPU 201 determines that neither of the accesscorresponding to the returning factor of the image processing controller102 nor the access received thereby after returning to the stand-bystate 502 (nor any other access to the image processing controller 102)exist (NO in step S1501), the processing proceeds to step S807. In stepS807, the CPU 201 reboots the entire image processing controller 102 andresets all of the information of the image processing controller 102.Specifically, the following pieces of information (1) and (2) areincluded in the information to be reset and changed:

-   (1) A type of the finisher 110.-   (2) A setting value of the finisher 110.

On the other hand, in a case where the CPU 201 determines that theaccess corresponding to the returning factor of the image processingcontroller 102 or the access received thereby after returning to thestand-by state 502 (or any other access to the image processingcontroller 102) exists (YES in step S1501), the processing proceeds tostep S1502.

In step S1502 (see FIG. 14B portion of FIG. 14), the CPU 201 analyzesthe job content of the above-described access received thereby. Then, instep S1503, the CPU 201 determines whether the job processingcorresponding to the received and/or existing access is affected by thereactivation/rebooting processing of the image processing controller102.

In addition, the following jobs (1) and (2) are included in the jobprocessing corresponding to the accesses that are not affected by thereactivation/rebooting processing of the image processing controller102:

-   (1) A printing job including only the settings that are not affected    by the reactivation/rebooting processing.-   (2) A notification job only extracting and notifying the information    that are not affected by the reactivation/rebooting processing.

Further, the following printing jobs (I) and (II) are included in (1) “Aprinting job including only the settings that are not affected by thereactivation/rebooting processing”:

-   (I) A printing job without using the finisher 110.-   (II) A printing job that is to be stored in the HDD 211 of the image    forming apparatus 103.

Further, the following printing jobs (III) and (IV) are included in (2)“A notification job only extracting and notifying the information notaffected by the reactivation/rebooting processing”:

-   (III) A notification job for acquiring the sheet type information    stored in the image forming apparatus 103.-   (IV) A notification job for acquiring the name of the image forming    apparatus 103.

Then, in a case where the CPU 201 determines that the job processingcorresponding to the received and/or existing access is not affected bythe reactivation/rebooting processing of the image processing controller102 (NO in step S1503), the processing proceeds to step S1504. In stepS1504, the CPU 201 firstly processes the job corresponding to thereceived and/or existing access, waits until the processing of the jobcorresponding to the received and/or existing access is completed, andthe processing proceeds to step S807 (see FIG. 14A portion of FIG. 14).In step S807, the CPU 201 reboots the image processing controller 102.

On the other hand, in a case where the CPU 201 determines that theprocessing of the job corresponding to the received and/or existingaccess is affected by the reactivation/rebooting processing of the imageprocessing controller 102 (YES in step S1503 shown in FIG. 14B portionof FIG. 14), the processing proceeds to step S1505. In step S1505, theCPU 201 cancels the job corresponding to the received and/or existingaccess, and advances the processing to step S807 (see FIG. 14A portionof FIG. 14). In step S807, the CPU 201 reboots the image processingcontroller 102.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, in a case where thechanges requiring the reactivation/rebooting processing of the imageprocessing controller 102 occur in the configuration of the imageforming apparatus 103 while the image processing controller 102 is inthe power saving state, the image processing controller 102 firstlyexecutes the processing of the received job if the job is not affectedby the reactivation/rebooting processing for resetting the information.With this processing, the job can be processed promptly while anymalfunctions, which may otherwise be caused by a lack of uniformity ofthe information (e.g., across an entire image forming system when notemploying one or more features of the present invention(s), can beavoided and/or prevented from occurring.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the operation for updating the imageforming apparatus information stored in the image processing controller102 executed by the image processing controller 102 by comparing thepieces of the information of the image forming apparatus 103 acquired atthe time of shifting to and returning from the power saving state 504,has been described as an example.

However, the present invention(s) are not limited to the above-describedexemplary embodiment. The printing jobs and accesses to the imageprocessing controller 102 received when shifting to the stand-by state502, in a case where the changes require the reactivation/rebootingprocessing exist, may be processed prior to the update processing of thechanges in a case where the printing job or the access is not affectedby the changes in the information processing apparatus information. Suchan exemplary embodiment will be described below.

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 15, description will be given of anoperation for updating only the changes (e.g., processing executed instep S808 in FIG. 7) executed by the image processing controller 102 ina case where the changes in the image forming apparatus information donot require the reactivation/rebooting processing when the state of theimage processing controller 102 returns to the stand-by state 502 fromthe power saving state 504.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation forupdating only the changes (e.g., processing executed in step S808 inFIG. 7) executed by the image processing controller 102 according to afourth exemplary embodiment, in a case where the changes in the imageforming apparatus information do not require the reactivation/rebootingprocessing when the state of the image processing controller 102 returnsfrom the power saving state 504. The CPU 201 executes a program loadedon the memory 202 to realize the processing illustrated in the flowchartof FIG. 15.

First, in step S1601, the CPU 201 determines whether the imageprocessing controller 102 receives an access, is accessed or that suchan access exists, while the changes in the image forming apparatusinformation stored in the image processing controller 102 are beingupdated.

Then, in a case where the CPU 201 determines that the image processingcontroller 102 does not receive the access while the changes in theimage forming apparatus information are being updated (or is notaccessed or that such an access does not exist) (NO in step S1601), theprocessing proceeds to step S1602. In step S1602, the CPU 201 executesthe update processing by extracting one unprocessed change from amongthe changes in the image forming apparatus information.

Next, in step S1603, the CPU 201 checks the existence of unprocessedchanges in the image forming apparatus information. Then, in step S1604,the CPU 201 determines whether the unprocessed changes still exist. In acase where the CPU 201 determines that the unprocessed changes stillexist (YES in step S1604), the processing proceeds to step S1601. On theother hand, in a case where the CPU 201 determines that the unprocessedchanges do not exist (NO in step S1604), the CPU 201 ends the processingof the flowchart.

Further, in step S1601, in a case where the CPU 201 determines that theimage processing controller 102 receives the access, is accessed or thatsuch an access exists, while the changes in the image forming apparatusinformation stored therein are being updated (YES in step S1601), theprocessing proceeds to step S1605.

In step S1605, the CPU 201 analyzes the job content of the receivedaccess and/or of the existing access. Then, in step S1606, the CPU 201determines whether processing of the job corresponding to the receivedaccess and/or of the existing access is affected by the updateprocessing of the changes in the image forming apparatus information.

In addition, the following processing (1) and (2) are included in thejob processing corresponding to the accesses affected by the updateprocessing of the changes in the image forming apparatus information:

-   (1) Processing of a printing job including the settings affected by    the update processing of the changes in the image forming apparatus    information.-   (2) Processing of a notification job for acquiring the information    affected by the update processing of the changes in the image    forming apparatus information.

Then, in a case where the CPU 201 determines that the processing of thejob corresponding to the received and/or existing access is affected bythe update processing of the changes in the image forming apparatusinformation (YES in step S1606), the CPU 201 advances the processing tostep S1602 in order to firstly update the changes in the image formingapparatus information.

On the other hand, in a case where the CPU 201 determines that theprocessing of the job corresponding to the received and/or existingaccess is not affected by the update processing of the changes in theimage forming apparatus information (NO in step S1606), the processingproceeds to step S1607. In step S1607, the CPU 201 firstly processes thejob corresponding to the received and/or existing access. Then, afterthe processing of the job corresponding to the received and/or existingaccess has been completed, the CPU 201 advances the processing to stepS1602 to update the changes in the image forming apparatus information.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, in a case where thechanges not requiring the reactivation/rebooting processing of the imageprocessing controller 102 occurs in the configuration of the imageforming apparatus 103 while the image processing controller 102 is inthe power saving state, the image processing controller 102 firstlyexecutes the processing of a received job if that job is not affected bythe update processing of the changes. With this processing, the job canbe processed promptly while any malfunctions, which may otherwise becaused by a lack of uniformity of the information (e.g., across anentire image forming system) when not employing one or more features ofthe present invention(s), can be avoided and/or prevented fromoccurring.

<Effects of Embodiments>

According to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention(s), theimage processing controller 102 stores the state information of theimage forming apparatus 103 before shifting to the power saving state504. Then, the state information of the image forming apparatus 103 whenthe state of the image processing controller 102 returned from thestand-by state 502 is compared with the state information of the imageforming apparatus 103 acquired when the state of the image processingcontroller 102 shifts to the power saving state 504 and returns from thepower saving state 504. Then, the differences (changes) in the stateinformation are reflected in the information of the image formingapparatus 103 stored in the image processing controller 102 asappropriate by employing the update method according to the changes.Through the above-described processing, uniformity of the informationacross the entire image forming system can be ensured, and thus anymalfunctions, which may otherwise be caused by a lack of the uniformityof the information (e.g., across an entire image forming system) whennot employing one or more features of the present invention(s), can beavoided and/or prevented from occurring.

Further, configurations and content of the above-described various typesof data are not limited thereto, and thus the configurations and thecontent thereof may be configured in various ways according to the useor the purpose thereof.

While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention(s) have beendescribed in detail, it is to be understood that the presentinvention(s) also can be realized as, for example, a system, anapparatus, a method, a program, or a storage medium. Specifically, thepresent invention(s) may be applied to a system configured of aplurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus configured of asingle device. The present invention(s) may additionally oralternatively be directed to method(s) of using such system(s) and/orapparatus(es), and to storage medium(s) having a program stored thereonfor causing a computer or processor to perform such method(s).

Furthermore, any configuration in which the above-described exemplaryembodiments are combined with each other may be included in the presentinvention(s).

<Other Embodiments>

Further, the present invention(s) can be realized by executing thefollowing processing. More specifically, software (a program) forrealizing a function of the above-described exemplary embodiments issupplied to at least one system or at least one apparatus via a networkor various storage media, so that a computer (or a CPU or a microprocessing unit (MPU)) of the system or the apparatus reads and executesthe program.

Furthermore, the present invention(s) may be applied to at least onesystem configured of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to atleast one apparatus configured of a single device.

The present invention(s) are not limited to the above-describedexemplary embodiments. Thus, various modifications and changes(including an organic combination of the exemplary embodiments) arepossible based on a gist of the invention(s), and such modifications andchanges are not excluded from the scope of the present invention(s).Therefore, any configuration in which the above-described exemplaryembodiments and variations thereof are combined with each other is alsoincluded in the present invention(s).

According to at least one aspect of the present invention(s), uniformityof the information across the entire image forming system(s) can beensured even in a case where the changes have occurred in theconfiguration of the image forming apparatus while the image processingcontroller is in the power saving state, and thus any malfunctions,which may otherwise be caused by a lack of the uniformity when notemploying one or more features of the present invention(s), can beavoided and/or prevented from occurring.

Embodiments of the present invention(s) can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions recorded on a storage medium (e.g.,non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) of thepresent invention(s), and by a method performed by the computer of thesystem or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing thecomputer executable instructions from the storage medium to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may comprise one or more of a central processing unit (CPU),micro processing unit (MPU), or other circuitry, and may include anetwork of separate computers or separate computer processors. Thecomputer executable instructions may be provided to the computer and/orprocessor, for example, from a network or the storage medium. Thestorage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, arandom-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage ofdistributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc(CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™), a flashmemory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present invention(s) have been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention(s) arenot limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2013-246933 filed Nov. 29, 2013, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image forming system comprising: an imageprocessing apparatus configured to generate and transmit image databased on a printing request by receiving the printing request from aninformation processing apparatus; and an image forming apparatusconfigured to execute printing based on the image data transmitted fromthe image processing apparatus, wherein the image processing apparatusincludes a storage unit configured to store status information of theimage forming apparatus, a return unit configured to return a state ofthe image processing apparatus from a power saving state in which atleast power is supplied to a first communication unit for receiving datatransmitted from the information processing apparatus in a case wherethe image processing apparatus detects a predetermined condition, and arequest unit configured to transmit a request for acquiring the statusinformation of the image forming apparatus to the image formingapparatus in a case where the return unit returns the image processingapparatus from the power saving state, wherein the image formingapparatus includes a transmission unit configured to transmit the statusinformation of the image forming apparatus to the image processingapparatus based on the request transmitted by the request unit, andwherein the image processing apparatus further includes an update unitconfigured to, in response to the image processing apparatus detecting achange or changes in the status information of the image formingapparatus, update the status information stored in the storage unit byusing the status information of the image forming apparatus transmittedby the transmission unit.
 2. The image forming system according to claim1, wherein the request unit transmits a request for acquiring the statusinformation of the image forming apparatus to the image formingapparatus when the return unit returns the state of the image processingapparatus from the power saving state.
 3. The image forming systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is a conditionthat the first communication unit receives data from the informationprocessing apparatus.
 4. The image forming system according to claim 1,wherein the image processing apparatus further includes a secondcommunication unit configured to receive data transmitted from the imageforming apparatus, and wherein the predetermined condition is acondition that the second communication unit receives data from theimage forming apparatus.
 5. The image forming system according to claim1, wherein the image processing apparatus transmits the image data tothe image forming apparatus via a video cable, and transmits a controlcommand for controlling the image data to the image forming apparatusvia a control cable.
 6. The image forming system according to claim 1,wherein the storage unit is further configured to store configurationinformation of the image forming apparatus, wherein the request unit isfurther configured to transmit a request for acquiring the configurationinformation of the image forming apparatus to the image formingapparatus in a case where the return unit returns the image processingapparatus from the power saving state, wherein the transmission unit isfurther configured to transmit the configuration information of theimage forming apparatus to the image processing apparatus based on therequest transmitted by the request unit, wherein the update unit isfurther configured to update the configuration information stored in thestorage unit by using the configuration information of the image formingapparatus transmitted by the transmission unit, and wherein theconfiguration information includes at least any one of information of aconnection apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus,information of a sheet feed stage, information of a sheet, andinformation of toner.
 7. The image forming system according to claim 1,wherein the image processing apparatus further includes a determinationunit configured to determine whether reactivation or rebooting isrequired in connection with update processing executed by the updateunit, and a control unit configured to reactivate or reboot the imageprocessing apparatus in a case where the determination unit determinesthat reactivation or rebooting is required.
 8. The image forming systemaccording to claim 7, wherein the determination unit determines that theimage processing apparatus has to be reactivated or rebooted in a casewhere a type of a post-processing unit for executing post-processing ofa sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus is tobe changed, or a change in a setting value of the post-processing unitis to be updated.
 9. The image forming system according to claim 1,wherein the image forming system is communicably connected to theinformation processing apparatus, the information processing apparatusbeing located externally with respect to the image forming system. 10.The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein: (i) theinformation processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus and theimage forming apparatus are different, independent apparatuses; (ii) theinformation processing apparatus is connected to the image processingapparatus via a network and/or is connected to the image formingapparatus via at least one of a network, one or more cables and theimage processing apparatus; and (iii) the image processing apparatus iscommunicably connected to the image forming apparatus via a video cableand a control cable.
 11. An image forming system comprising: an imageprocessing apparatus configured to generate and transmit image databased on a printing request by receiving the printing request from aninformation processing apparatus; and an image forming apparatusconfigured to execute printing based on the image data transmitted fromthe image processing apparatus, wherein the image processing apparatusincludes a storage unit configured to store status information of theimage forming apparatus, a return unit configured to return a state ofthe image processing apparatus from a power saving state in which atleast power is supplied to a first communication unit for receiving datatransmitted from the information processing apparatus in a case wherethe image processing apparatus detects a predetermined condition, and anotification unit configured to notify the image forming apparatus thatthe state of the image processing apparatus has returned from the powersaving state in a case where the return unit returns the imageprocessing apparatus from the power saving state, wherein the imageforming apparatus includes a transmission unit configured to transmitthe status information of the image forming apparatus to the imageprocessing apparatus based on the notification from the notificationunit, and wherein the image processing apparatus further includes anupdate unit configured to, in response to the image processing apparatusdetecting a change or changes in the status information of the imageforming apparatus, update the status information stored in the storageunit by using the status information of the image forming apparatustransmitted by the transmission unit.
 12. The image forming systemaccording to claim 11, wherein the notification unit notifies the imageforming apparatus that the state of the image processing apparatus hasreturned from the power saving state when the return unit returns theimage processing apparatus from the power saving state.
 13. The imageforming system according to claim 11, wherein the predeterminedcondition is a condition that the first communication unit receives datafrom the information processing apparatus.
 14. The image forming systemaccording to claim 11, wherein the image processing apparatus furtherincludes a second communication unit configured to receive datatransmitted from the image forming apparatus, and wherein thepredetermined condition is a condition that the second communicationunit receives data from the image forming apparatus.
 15. The imageforming system according to claim 11, wherein the image processingapparatus transmits the image data to the image forming apparatus via avideo cable, and transmits a control command for controlling the imagedata to the image forming apparatus via a control cable.
 16. The imageforming system according to claim 11, wherein the storage unit isfurther configured to store configuration information of the imageforming apparatus, wherein the transmission unit is further configuredto transmit the configuration information of the image forming apparatusto the image processing apparatus based on the notification from thenotification unit, wherein the update unit is further configured toupdate the configuration information stored in the storage unit by usingthe configuration information of the image forming apparatus transmittedby the transmission unit, and wherein the configuration informationincludes at least any one of information of a connection apparatusconnected to the image forming apparatus, information of a sheet feedstage, information of a sheet, and information of toner.
 17. The imageforming system according to claim 11, wherein the image processingapparatus further includes a determination unit configured to determinewhether reactivation or rebooting is required in connection with updateprocessing executed by the update unit, and a control unit configured toreactivate or reboot the image processing apparatus in a case where thedetermination unit determines that reactivation or rebooting isrequired.
 18. The image forming system according to claim 17, whereinthe determination unit determines that the image processing apparatushas to be reactivated or rebooted in a case where a type of apost-processing unit for executing post-processing of a sheet on whichan image is formed by the image forming apparatus is changed, or achange in a setting value of the post-processing unit is updated. 19.The image forming system according to claim 11, wherein the imageforming system is communicably connected to the information processingapparatus, the information processing apparatus being located externallywith respect to the image forming system.
 20. The image forming systemaccording to claim 11, wherein: (i) the information processingapparatus, the image processing apparatus and the image formingapparatus are different, independent apparatuses; (ii) the informationprocessing apparatus is connected to the image processing apparatus viaa network and/or is connected to the image forming apparatus via atleast one of a network, one or more cables and the image processingapparatus; and (iii) the image processing apparatus is communicablyconnected to the image forming apparatus via a video cable and a controlcable.